Bang Bang You're Dead (2002)

Timely teaching tool

This is a wonderful video to use with young people - high school students - to kick off a discussion of school violence. All of my students related to and learned from the characters and story. Very well done. June 9, 2008

WOW! You must see this remarkable film!

I was perusing through various reviews, and saw all this christian, God/Satan nonsense, so I don't know where all that rubbish is coming from, but wow, oh wow, oh wow, this was such a rush, wickedly paced, edge of your seat with your mouth on the floor, brilliantly acted, well orchestrated ensemble cast, and stellar directing. Loosely based on the stage play by William Mastrosimone, this holds it's own in a genre not entirely saturated, but where this kind of film exist on various levels. Gus Van Sant's 'Elephant' is too artsy-fartsy, and 'Zero Day', while superb, was too realistic as it's entirely shot on camcorders. Bang, Bang, Your Dead, combines all of the movies about high school dilemmas and shootings, which hit so close to home, it's terrifying.

Ben Foster (30 Days of Night, 3:10 to Yuma, Alpha Dog) plays Trevor Adams, readjusting to the first day of school after having to attend summer school because of a bomb threat the previous year. All, teachers and students alike, are suspicious of his return. Randy Harrison (Queer as Folk) plays a cunning, dark role as the leader of the outcast anarchist aptly named 'The Trogs,' and Tom Cavanagh plays the role perfect as his video/drama school teacher who believes in Trevor and sees something others would by ignorance, never see.

What really makes this movie absolutely spectacular is the way it flows so freely from one scene to another: from Trevor making his home videos, to his interaction with law enforcement and teachers, to his being picked on and bullied by those ignorant, one tracked football jocks, and his finding perhaps solace in a beautiful girl and yet he manages along the way to capture moving images of the reality of HIS existence and the brutal savagery of the sports masses and the psychological trauma of the youth that are unfortuntely the brunt of their fun. The movie touches on the important subjects of what most large, inner city and suburbian high schools go through. How their sports programs are far more important than the safety of the students, and how bullying in ALL ITS FORMS, can be tormenting to young adults, which they can carry on their whole lives. It shows every single side of the situation and that in itself is a very important element.

I must say to you in all honestly, put this on your next que or immediately purchase this, it is truly an experience which you wont soon forget!!

4.5 Stars April 7, 2008

Mandatory Viewing.

Bang Bang You're Dead should be mandatory viewing in every high school, community college, and university.
A chilling and sobering reason why young people go berserk and shoot up campuses.
Highly recommended. March 28, 2008

Renew your view on high school

With this video, I promise you'll never look at high school again, you'll realize how much kids have to through now a days. And teens if you ever want your parents to realize how and why you just don't care for school anymore, make them watch this video. And drama teachers please if your tired of the same old plays, the one in her will grab your attention and your viewers through out the entire thing. January 21, 2008

troubled youth

I was very impressed with this movie. Very powerful; has a strong message. I highly recommend it. November 8, 2007

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